Safe and Fun Retirement Home in Kingston

12 Feb 20

Life is better when you have a friend to navigate the pitfalls and windfalls.

That is the sentiment of Wilma Hartley who has had the same best friend since childhood.

Speaking from Carveth Care Centre in early February 2020, Wilma gently holds the hand of Doreen Haffie, her lifetime friend.

The two women have a strong bond, unbroken by time and circumstances. It seems serendipitous how they have grown-up together and are growing old together.

“We were so close when we were little and we’re close now,” says Wilma who lives in the retirement lodge that is connected to the long-term care home where Doreen resides. “It’s been nice to have a friendship like that. We’ve gone full circle.”

Wilma is 93 and still remembers the fun she had with Doreen when they were growing up almost next door to each other in Ebenezer. Doreen is 92 and will often respond to Wilma’s stories and questions, despite a mind afflicted by dementia.

“Your hands are cold,” Doreen says softly to Wilma, patting the hand resting on hers.

“But I have a warm heart,” Wilma responds kindly.

Clearly happy to be together, Wilma and Doreen have spent the last few weeks reminiscing about their teenage years through the reading of Doreen’s diaries, dated 1943 and 1944. The girls were 16 and 17 years old at the time they were written.

“They had such a close friendship. They’ve been friends since they were old enough to walk,” explains Activity Aide Tammy Kean who spent several hours reading the diaries to the women whose houses were connected by a beaten path due to the frequency of their visits.

“I was thrilled to do that. It was something really special,” says Tammy about the opportunity to read the diaries aloud. “Quite often you forget that seniors were young once, too.”

Tammy admits with a laugh, “I had to shut the doors so no one would overhear. They partied in an old Buick from Escott to Lansdowne to Ivy Lea. The odd time they even made it to Kingston.”

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